Rakufun is a proxy shopping service that connects international buyers with items from Japanese marketplaces like Mercari, Surugaya, Rakuten and others. One of the optional add-on services we provide is our photo service. This lets you receive images of your purchased items once they arrive at our warehouse in Japan, before you finalize your international shipping request.
We designed the service to give you a better view of the actual item in hand. It supports clearer decision-making, especially when seller photos or descriptions leave room for uncertainty. The service is entirely optional and billed separately from our purchasing or shipping fees.
Table of Contents
What Our Photo Service Covers
Once an item reaches our warehouse and before you submit a shipping request, our team can take photographs of the product. We then upload those images for you to review directly in your Rakufun account. The main purpose is to help you confirm the item’s condition and, if needed, support any after-sales requests.
This is particularly useful for second-hand or pre-owned goods, where online listings may not show every detail. Categories that often benefit include used electronics, clothing, collectibles, cameras, lenses, and vintage items. For higher-value or delicate purchases, the extra visuals can provide reassurance before committing to international shipping costs.
Please note that our standard photo service focuses on the individual item upon arrival. We also offer a separate photo checking service (500 JPY), which applies after you have already registered a package for shipment. That option includes confirmation photos of the outer box, delivery label, and contents once the package is prepared.
Photo Service Levels and Benefits
Rakufun offers four levels of Photo Service: Basic, Upgraded A, Upgraded B, and Deluxe. Each level has a different price, photo limit, and degree of customization. The table below summarizes the key differences.
| Level | Price (per package) | Photo Limit | Special Requests Allowed? | Remove Original Packaging? | Main Use Case |
| Basic | 200 JPY | 1 panoramic photo (front or back) | No | No | Checking for wrong or missing items; confirming package contents |
| Upgraded A | 300 JPY | 3 photos | No | Yes, you can choose | Basic detail check with optional packaging removal |
| Upgraded B | 500 JPY | Up to 10 photos | Yes | Yes, you can choose | Detailed inspection with custom requests |
| Deluxe | 1000 JPY | Up to 30 photos | Yes | Yes, you can choose | Comprehensive documentation for high-value or complex items |
Basic (200 JPY)
This is the most economical option. You receive one panoramic photo of the package contents, either from the front or the back. You cannot leave special requests, choose specific items to photograph, or request photos of individual items. The main purpose is to confirm that the correct items have arrived and that nothing major is missing. However, if the seller sends many items, the panoramic photo may not clearly show the quantity of each item.
Best for: Lowvalue orders, bulk items where you only need to verify that the package is not empty, or when you trust the seller and only want a basic sanity check.
Upgraded A (300 JPY)
This level gives you three photos of the package contents. You still cannot leave special requests, but you have the option to choose whether to remove the original packaging before taking photos. This is useful when the item is in a sealed box or bag and you want to see the actual product inside without fully committing to a premium level.
Best for: Items that come in opaque packaging (e.g., blind boxes, sealed bags) where you want to confirm the contents without opening the package yourself. Also suitable for small collectibles where three angles (front, back, side) provide enough information.
Upgraded B (500 JPY)
This is where the service becomes more flexible. You can leave special requests for specific angles, closeups, or details. You receive up to 10 photos, and you can also choose whether to remove original packaging. The special request option allows you to ask for photos of particular areas of concern, such as the corners of a trading card, the screen of an electronic device, or the stitching on a garment.
Best for: Most collectible purchases – trading cards, figures, vintage clothing, electronics. This level provides a good balance of cost and detail.
Deluxe (1000 JPY)
The premium level offers up to 30 photos and full customization through special requests. You can document an item comprehensively, from multiple angles, including closeups of serial numbers, damage, or any specific features. This is the level to choose when you need thorough documentation for insurance, authentication, or peace of mind on a highvalue item.
Best for: Highvalue luxury goods (watches, handbags), graded collectibles, fragile items, or any purchase where you may need extensive photographic evidence for potential aftersales disputes.
*All prices are in Japanese yen (JPY) and apply per item or per request. You select and pay for the service when you place your proxy order. The service is prepaid and non-refundable. You have the right to choose any level of photo service or not choose it.*
When to Choose Each Level
Choosing the right level depends on the value of the item, your level of trust in the seller, and how much detail you need.
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Basic – Choose this for small, lowcost items where you only want to confirm that something arrived. For example, a set of inexpensive keychains or a bulk order of lowvalue trading cards.
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Upgraded A – Choose this when the item comes in sealed packaging and you want to see inside without paying for full custom photos. For example, a mystery box or a sealed figure. The three photos give you front, back, and one side view.
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Upgraded B – Choose this for most standard secondhand purchases – a used camera, a vintage jacket, a midrange collectible card. This level gives you enough photos (up to 10) to make an informed decision.
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Deluxe – Choose this for expensive or rare items where every detail matters – a luxury handbag, a graded Pokémon card, a limitededition watch, or any item that you may need to insure.
Core Rules of the Photo Service
The Photo Service operates under strict timing rules. Understanding these rules is essential to avoid losing your opportunity to request photos or raise issues.
Service Timing: Request at Purchase Only
The Photo Service can only be requested at the time of purchase. You select the level when you place your order. After the package is stored in the warehouse, the system automatically marks the order as “received/closed” 24 hours after arrival. Once this happens, you can no longer request photo services or raise disputes about the items.
Important: Do not wait. If you want photos, select your level when you place the order. You cannot add Photo Service retroactively after the 24‑hour window.
AfterSales & Photo Confirmation: 24Hour Window
Once you receive the photos from the warehouse, you have 24 hours to confirm them or raise any issues. If you see missing items, incorrect items, or condition problems, do not confirm the photos. Instead, contact customer service immediately.
Once you confirm the photos, aftersales requests are generally no longer accepted. If you have doubts about the photos, contact customer service to request a reshoot before confirming.
Special Notes for Unused Items
For unused, unopened new items, you must explicitly specify whether the warehouse is allowed to open the packaging to take photos. If you do not specify, the default may be to leave the packaging intact. This is particularly important for collectible items where sealed packaging affects value.
Photo Service vs. Photo Checking Service: What Is the Difference?
Rakufun offers two distinct services that are often confusing. The table below clarifies the differences.
| Feature | Photo Service | Photo Checking Service |
| Purpose | Primarily for after-sales requests and dispute evidence | For customers to confirm condition and details of the product |
| When to request | At the time of purchase (must select a level) | After the product has arrived at the warehouse |
| Price | 200, 300, 500, or 1000 JPY per package (depending on level) | 500 JPY per option |
| How to request | Select in your personal center when placing the order | Contact customer service after warehouse arrival |
| Customization | Varies by level (Basic/Upgraded A: no special requests; Upgraded B/Deluxe: special requests allowed) | Special requests can be discussed with customer service |
| Photo limit | 1 (Basic), 3 (Upgraded A), up to 10 (Upgraded B), up to 30 (Deluxe) | Determined by customer service on a case-by-case basis |
Rakufun Photo Service is designed to give you evidence for potential aftersales disputes. It is selected upfront and follows strict timing rules. Photo Checking Service is more flexible – you can request it after the item is already in the warehouse, but it costs a flat 500 JPY per option and requires contacting customer service directly.
If you simply want to see your item for peace of mind without worrying about aftersales, the Photo Checking Service may be appropriate. However, for formal dispute documentation, the Photo Service (with its structured levels and timing) is the recommended choice.
AfterSales Process: How to Apply and What to Expect
Even with photo verification, issues can still arise. Rakufun has a defined aftersales process for when the received item does not match the seller’s listing.
Order Processing Flow
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Wait for the package to arrive at the warehouse.
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After arrival, the warehouse provides photos according to your selected level.
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You confirm the item(s) or raise issues.
If you have any concerns, you must apply for aftersales service after receiving the warehouse photos.
Eligible AfterSales Scenarios
You can apply for aftersales service in the following situations:
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Counterfeit Item: The received item does not match the seller’s listing (seller claims it is authentic) or official product images.
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Missing Item: The actual quantity received is less than the quantity ordered.
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Description Mismatch: The item is authentic but does not match the seller’s description (e.g., listed as unopened but actually opened, listed as new but with scratches or stains).
AfterSales Application Requirements
When applying, you must provide clear comparison images with discrepancies circled, along with a written explanation of the issue.
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For counterfeit items: Provide warehouse photo vs. seller’s listing image or official product image. If available, provide brand announcement images as well.
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For incorrect/missing items or description mismatch: Provide warehouse photo vs. seller’s listing image.
AfterSales Handling Process
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Submit an aftersales claim – Must be submitted within 12 hours of receiving the warehouse photos.
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Review and processing – Rakufun verifies the issue. If it meets the requirements, they log the case and communicate with the seller.
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Seller cooperation – If the seller cooperates, the case is handled according to your request (replacement, refund, etc.).
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Seller noncooperation – Rakufun contacts the relevant authority and maintains communication.
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Followup – The aftersales specialist follows up continuously until the case is resolved or special circumstances arise (e.g., the seller proposes an alternative solution, or the authority rejects the claim).
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Special circumstances – If special circumstances occur, Rakufun contacts you again to confirm the next steps.
⏰ Aftersales specialists are available from 10:00 to 19:00 Japan Time.
Learn more from our Youtube vedio:
Final Thoughts
Rakufun’s Photo Service is a practical tool for buyers who want more certainty when shopping from Japan. The four levels – Basic, Upgraded A, Upgraded B, and Deluxe – allow you to choose the level of detail that matches the value and risk of your purchase. Understanding the timing rules – especially the 24hour windows for warehouse arrival and photo confirmation – is essential to using the service effectively.
For highvalue items, rare collectibles, or any purchase where condition matters, the Upgraded B or Deluxe levels provide meaningful protection. The ability to raise aftersales disputes based on the photos gives you recourse if the seller misrepresented the item.
For lowervalue items or purchases from trusted sellers, the Basic or Upgraded A levels offer a basic sanity check at minimal cost.
And if you forget to select a Photo Service level at purchase, the Photo Checking Service (500 JPY per option) is available after warehouse arrival by contacting customer service – though it is not designed for formal aftersales documentation.
With clear rules and a structured aftersales process, Rakufun’s Photo Service helps international shoppers shop from Japan with greater confidence.
Rakufun simplifies Japanese proxy shopping and global shipping, your all-in-one app for a seamless, fee-free experience：https://blog.rakufun.com/whats-rakufun-photo-service-how-it-works/
